Lift Up Your Hearts!

At this time last year I reflected on the results of my 2010 January resolution:  Read More Books.  It was an unqualified success:  In 2010 I had read 65 books of great variety:  print and audio, fiction and non-fiction, from children's lit to an 800-page survey of ancient history.  I felt quite good about it.

I'm not feeling so encouraged now.  For 2011, my total of 33 books was but half the previous year's.  Without doubt, even an avid bookworm like me needs to be vigilant and deliberate in making time for reading.

What happened?  I can think of a few factors, none negative in itself.

Instead of listening to audio books when I take my (quasi-) daily walks, I've been using the occasions for prayer, and for the introvert's essential "processing time."  There are no audio books on my 2011 reading tally.

In 2010 I spent much more time as a guest in the homes of avid readers, where other people used their free time to read books, and where my normal household activities could not distract or nag at me.

Last year my husband worked from home almost exclusively, whereas in the previous year he primarily had out-of-town, and even out-of-the-country, assignments.  I'm not saying he's an unwelcome distraction....  :)

Well, ganbarimasu!  Perhaps in 2012 I'll do better, knowing I have to work at it.  My goal is to average one book per week.

Here's the list for 2011, sorted alphabetically.  A chronological listing, with links, is here.

1. At Home by Franz Hohler  
2. Bad Science: Quacks, Hacks, and Big Pharma Flacks by Ben Goldacre  
3. The Caves of Fear: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story by John Blaine  
4. Christmas at Fairacre by Miss Read  
5. Confessions and Reflections of a Traveler by Brett R. McLean  
6. The Corpse Walker by Liao Yiwu
7. The Crime of the Century by Kingsley Amis  
8. Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss  
9. The Electronic Mind Reader: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story by John Blaine  
10. Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card  
11. The Flaming Mountain: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story by John Blaine  
12. The Flying Stingaree: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story by John Blaine
13. How to Be a High School Superstar by Cal Newport  
14. Introverts in the Church by Adam S. McHugh  
15. The Longevity Project by Howard S. Friedman and Leslie R. Martin  
16. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien  
17. The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson  
18. The Mystery of the Timber Giant: A Tom Quest Adventure by Fran Striker  
19. North to Freedom by Anne Holm  
20. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell  
21. The Pirates of Shan: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story by John Blaine  
22. The Raw Milk Revolution by David E. Gumpert
23. The Rocket's Shadow: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story by John Blaine
24. Sabbath by Dan B. Allender  
25. The Scarlet Lake Mystery: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story by John Blaine  
26. Sea Gold: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story by John Blaine  
27. Secret Water by Arthur Ransome  
28. Shakespeare by Bill Bryson  
29. Tom Swift and the Visitor from Planet X by Victor Appleton II  
30. Troublesome Words by Bill Bryson  
31. Village Affairs by Miss Read
32. The Vintage Bradbury: Ray Bradbury's Own Selection of His Best Stories by Ray Bradbury  
33. The Zen of Fish by Trevor Corson